Are components tailored to region voltages?
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Power Supplies
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Graphics Cards
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CPUs
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Components
Last response: in Components
edd677
April 11, 2013 1:38:59 PM
Hi all,
I am currently in the US, and moving back to the UK in July. As i'm sure you are aware, pc components are always cheaper in the US, and therefore I was considering purchasing at least one component to bring back to the UK.
I am intending on building a new pc mid year, and will therefore need a wide range of components. I am aware that the mains electricity is different in the US and UK (120V in the US V 230V in the UK).
My question is this: Are the components generic, meaning all that matters is that the power supply is set to the voltage of the region which it is being used in? (I.e. could I use a GPU and CPU from the US, in a pc with a UK motherboard/memory/HDD?)
Or...do I need to either buy all UK components/US components?
I am aware of import legislation regarding the UK.
Thanks in advance!
Ed
I am currently in the US, and moving back to the UK in July. As i'm sure you are aware, pc components are always cheaper in the US, and therefore I was considering purchasing at least one component to bring back to the UK.
I am intending on building a new pc mid year, and will therefore need a wide range of components. I am aware that the mains electricity is different in the US and UK (120V in the US V 230V in the UK).
My question is this: Are the components generic, meaning all that matters is that the power supply is set to the voltage of the region which it is being used in? (I.e. could I use a GPU and CPU from the US, in a pc with a UK motherboard/memory/HDD?)
Or...do I need to either buy all UK components/US components?
I am aware of import legislation regarding the UK.
Thanks in advance!
Ed
More about : components tailored region voltages
All computer parts should run on standard DC voltages(12/5/3.3).
It is up to the power supply to give those voltages. Most of them list lets say 100-260 volts. In those cases, you can just plug it in. If it just listed 120 volts, well yeah, you do not want to try to plug it in at home.
Remember things like DVD drives and BD players may need to have a region changed(I have not check too much into it, but something to know). everything else(power supply aside) should be good to go.
It is up to the power supply to give those voltages. Most of them list lets say 100-260 volts. In those cases, you can just plug it in. If it just listed 120 volts, well yeah, you do not want to try to plug it in at home.
Remember things like DVD drives and BD players may need to have a region changed(I have not check too much into it, but something to know). everything else(power supply aside) should be good to go.
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nukemaster said:
All computer parts should run on standard DC voltages(12/5/3.3).It is up to the power supply to give those voltages. Most of them list lets say 100-260 volts. In those cases, you can just plug it in. If it just listed 120 volts, well yeah, you do not want to try to plug it in at home.
Remember things like DVD drives and BD players may need to have a region changed(I have not check too much into it, but something to know). everything else(power supply aside) should be good to go.
This. I'd look for one of the power supplies with a switch on it that you can flip between US current and UK.
EDIT: Disregard this. Nuke has it absolutely correct; I'm not used to dealing with other areas' voltages.
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edd677
April 11, 2013 2:35:08 PM
nukemaster said:
All computer parts should run on standard DC voltages(12/5/3.3).It is up to the power supply to give those voltages. Most of them list lets say 100-260 volts. In those cases, you can just plug it in. If it just listed 120 volts, well yeah, you do not want to try to plug it in at home.
Remember things like DVD drives and BD players may need to have a region changed(I have not check too much into it, but something to know). everything else(power supply aside) should be good to go.
Ok great, so as long as I have a power supply that I can switch to UK voltage, it does not matter where the other components are purchased?
Thank you very much, I was not expecting such quick and useful replies! This is the first time I have used this forum and am pleasantly surprised!
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Best solution
I would NOT look for power supplies with the switch as they do not have active PFC and are most times older or of poor quality. A good power supply will list a FULL range and adjust on its own.
If you look in these images(ignore the red square as that was to show combined 12 volt current on multi rail power supplies) you can see these are actual FULL range power supplies(no red switch)
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For good measure, a laptop brick that works worldwide as well
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Just remember things like cordless phones tend to have unregulated power supplies and should not be sent home(unless the power supply lists that it can take 240 volts. If it lists 120, it will pump 2 x the voltage at home and may[I say may because some phones may tolerate it] damage the phone.).
If you look in these images(ignore the red square as that was to show combined 12 volt current on multi rail power supplies) you can see these are actual FULL range power supplies(no red switch)


For good measure, a laptop brick that works worldwide as well

Just remember things like cordless phones tend to have unregulated power supplies and should not be sent home(unless the power supply lists that it can take 240 volts. If it lists 120, it will pump 2 x the voltage at home and may[I say may because some phones may tolerate it] damage the phone.).
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edd677
April 11, 2013 3:12:06 PM
nukemaster said:
I would NOT look for power supplies with the switch as they do not have active PFC and are most times older or of poor quality. A good power supply will list a FULL range and adjust on its own.If you look in these images(ignore the red square as that was to show combined 12 volt current on multi rail power supplies) you can see these are actual FULL range power supplies(no red switch)


For good measure, a laptop brick that works worldwide as well

Just remember things like cordless phones tend to have unregulated power supplies and should not be sent home(unless the power supply lists that it can take 240 volts. If it lists 120, it will pump 2 x the voltage at home and may[I say may because some phones may tolerate it] damage the phone.).
I think I am gradually starting to understand this! So the switch is there on some power supplies for you to select the INPUT in the region. For some (illogical!) reason, I assumed it regulated the output of the power supply to the components. Your suggestion to purchase an 'all-compatible' power supply makes sense, the only thing is that I already have a power supply back in the UK that I have used for a couple of years, so I may just keep that.
That said....Which exact part of this should i be looking for on a new PSU? I am assuming I want a PSU that says Input: 100V-240V?
Thank you again, I really do appreciate your help.
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edd677 said:
I think I am gradually starting to understand this! So the switch is there on some power supplies for you to select the INPUT in the region. For some (illogical!) reason, I assumed it regulated the output of the power supply to the components. Your suggestion to purchase an 'all-compatible' power supply makes sense, the only thing is that I already have a power supply back in the UK that I have used for a couple of years, so I may just keep that.That said....Which exact part of this should i be looking for on a new PSU? I am assuming I want a PSU that says Input: 100V-240V?
Thank you again, I really do appreciate your help.
Yes.
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If you use a PSU from the US, and it is 100-240v compatible (as many are)....the only thing you really need to worry about is the physical connection.
UK plugs are different than US plugs are different than French plugs (etc etc etc) where they go into the wall. But adapters are cheap and easy to find.
UK plugs are different than US plugs are different than French plugs (etc etc etc) where they go into the wall. But adapters are cheap and easy to find.
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